(ECNS) -- Shipping throughput via the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River reached 100 million metric tons as of 12:40 a.m. Thursday, according to the Three Gorges Navigation Authority.

The ship locks handled 21,562 vessel passages and 97.276 million tons, while the ship lift managed 2,590 passages and 2.724 million tons, along with 446,000 passenger trips.

The milestone came despite lock maintenance, strong winds, fog and severe weather, as well as construction of a new waterway project.

The Three Gorges hub first surpassed 100 million metric tons in annual throughput in 2011.

From 2021 to 2025, its annual throughput exceeded 150 million metric tons for five consecutive years.

(By Helen Mo, intern Yang Hongran)